More than 20 million people in the U.S. have a substance use disorder, but fewer than 20% of those people are receiving substance abuse treatment.^1.²Individuals with a substance use disorder can be reluctant to seek help for many reasons. Often, they won’t seek treatment until their loved ones stage an intervention.

Family and friends may find it necessary to intervene if the individual is resistant to treatment or is in denial about their substance use disorder. Because they refuse to get help, family and friends must deal with the ramifications of their substance abuse. In fact, nearly half of the American population is impacted by a loved one’s alcohol or drug abuse.³ This impact, combined with the negative effects of substance abuse on the individual, often motivates loved ones to stage an intervention.

What is an Intervention?

An intervention is an organized attempt to convince someone they have a substance use issue that requires treatment.

When staging an intervention, family and friends confront a loved one about their substance abuse and its consequences. They gently but assertively share how the person’s substance use has affected those who care about them. Loved ones provide specific examples of the individual’s destructive behaviors, and each person clearly explains what they will do if the person refuses to get help.

The purpose of the intervention is to encourage the individual to get treatment. By educating them about addiction and helping them realize how their behavior is affecting their life and relationships, loved ones are hoping to break through their resistance and guide them to appropriate treatment. The intervention also offers a clear treatment plan for the individual to get the help they need.

Sometimes, family and friends plan an intervention on their own. However, professional intervention services are available to walk families through the careful step-by-step process of carrying out an intervention. Involving a trained interventionist can often increase the chances of success of the intervention.

When is it Necessary to Stage an Intervention?

You’ve probably heard the saying: “You can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.” So when could an intervention be helpful?

Keep in mind that, when you stage an intervention, the goal is to stir up that desire for help. By the end of the intervention, the hope is that the individual will realize they need help and want to get treatment.

Still…you may be wondering if this is the right thing to do in your situation. It is time for an intervention? To determine if an intervention is necessary, look for the following signs that staging an intervention could be an appropriate next step.

Your loved one denies their substance abuse behavior when confronted one-on-one.
Your loved one denies they have a problem at all.
Your loved one is unwilling to stop using drugs or alcohol despite multiple negative consequences.
Your loved one is causing physical harm to themselves or others.
It is apparent your loved one is not going to get help.
You fear that your loved one is at risk of overdose. (There were more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. between April and 2020 and April 2021.³)

If you see these red flags waving, you are justifiably concerned about your loved one’s well-being. Staging an intervention may be necessary to help them overcome their addiction – and save their life.

Who is Involved in an Intervention?

An intervention should be small, with no more than six or seven people present. The group can include close family members, friends, and coworkers. Everyone involved should have a genuine relationship with the individual and a positive influence on them. If a family member or friend is also struggling with substance use issues, they should not participate in the intervention.

It is usually helpful to also involve an intervention specialist. This professional can help family members plan what they will say and facilitate the conversation during the intervention. The intervention expert can de-escalate situations and facilitate a healthier discussion between the individual and their loved ones.

These specialists can also help families handle issues they don’t know how to navigate on their own. The interventionist educates everyone involved about treatment options, addiction, and enabling behaviors. They explain how treatment works from a clinical perspective and help the individual see how rehab could be beneficial.

Ultimately, the interventionist’s goals are to act as a mediator during the intervention and as a guide for next steps based on the outcome of the effort. They can help arrange treatment if the individual agrees to get help. This contribution is often key, because uncertainty about which program to choose or what to look for in a program are common barriers that keep people from seeking treatment.

How Should You Prepare for the Intervention?

A successful intervention requires careful planning, organized set-up, and appropriate follow-up. This process should begin with a meeting of the members of the intervention group. At this gathering, you’ll discuss and plan the intervention. This involves the following steps:

Create a plan: What time of day and where will you stage the intervention? What do you need to know about addiction and recovery before the intervention? Will you involve an interventionist? If so, meet with them.
Write letters: Each person should write a letter (often called an impact statement) that they will read aloud during the intervention. These letters should express how the individual’s substance use has affected them.
Offer support: Everyone who wants to be part of the intervention must be willing to help and support the individual as they go through treatment. They must also refrain from pressuring or shaming the individual into treatment.
Establish boundaries: Each person should be clear about what they will do next if the person does not get treatment. Commit to ending any enabling behaviors or co-dependencies. Make it clear that relationships will change if they refuse treatment.
Follow up: Be ready to follow through with help if the person agrees to treatment. An interventionist can help create a treatment plan in advance, so next steps are clear.
Practice: Rehearse the intervention at least once. This will help you feel more comfortable during the actual intervention.

What Can You Expect During the Intervention?

As you stage an intervention, you’ll see there is a typical flow to the process (though each intervention is unique and can flow however it feels most natural). Generally speaking, however, the process will look something like this:

Members of your intervention group will ultimately meet with the loved one who is struggling with substance abuse. If an interventionist is involved, they will be introduced.

Next, each person will read their letter (impact statement). The interventionist should ask that no responses be given until each person has finished their entire letter.

It is important to start by expressing love and concern, and to be honest and specific. Members of the group should describe specific behaviors that have negatively affected them. Examples might include missed family events, impaired driving, or missed work.

Loved ones should note physical consequences as well as emotional and financial damage. Point out the negative impact continued substance use will have (or is already having) on their physical health.

Next, explain substance use treatment. Outline the individual’s options for treatment, including how it works, what to expect, and how it helps.

Lastly, share potential consequences. If they refuse to get treatment, let them know what will happen next. Ask them to respond within 48 hours by entering treatment.

The Dos and Don’ts of Responding During an Intervention

When you stage an intervention, keep in mind that this is an emotional event involving complex issues. It can be difficult to navigate. Here’s some guidance to steer your intervention in the right direction.

What to Do

Use “I” statements. These help you avoid seeming accusatory. Examples include “I feel upset” and “I feel worried.”
Be compassionate. While it’s important to be honest and assertive as you stage an intervention, compassion is key to success. Your loved one is hurting and needs support.
Express concerns. In a calm and constructive manner, share your concerns about your loved one. Without anger or judgment, let them know you want them to live a healthy life free of substance abuse.
Be ready for backlash. When confronted, your loved one may react negatively. They may get angry or defensive. They may deny that they have a problem or try to justify their behavior. They may also provide excuses for not entering treatment.
Respond with love. Regardless of their response, continue to offer love and support. Remind them they have a treatable condition.
Offer support. Assure them that they have your support and you’ll be there for them every step of the way.

What Not to Do

Shame them. The emphasis should be on love, concern, and support. Don’t say or do things to blame or shame your loved one. Don’t bring up things to make them feel persecuted or alienated.
Accept excuses. Establish boundaries and a bottom line before the intervention, then stick to them.
Don’t label your loved one as an addict. This term can be stigmatizing.

What Happens After You Stage an Intervention?

The goal of the intervention is to encourage the person to get the treatment they need. However, the person may choose either to enter treatment or refuse to get help.

If they reject the opportunity for treatment, the members of the intervention group must carry out the consequences they outlined during the intervention. This may involve cutting off financial support or not allowing the person to live with them anymore.

If the individual decides to get treatment, they should begin within 48 hours. Treatment typically begins with detox, then your loved one will go on to an inpatient or outpatient program.

Detox

Detox is the process of ridding the individual’s body of addictive substances. It provides a safe, stable place where they are monitored and cared for by medical staff 24/7. Staff may use medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure the detoxification process goes smoothly. Once the individual is stabilized, they will be ready to enter rehab, where they will address addiction issues and develop skills for recovery.

Inpatient Treatment

Residential or inpatient treatment involves living at the rehab facility and receiving 24/7 supervised care. A combination of treatment interventions is typically offered, including individual and group therapy, nutritional counseling, experiential therapies, and medication.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides several hours of treatment each week, including individual and group therapy. This type of program is less restrictive than inpatient rehab, allowing participants to attend therapy from home while fulfilling personal obligations such as work and school.

Individuals may transition to an outpatient program after completing inpatient treatment, or they may begin their treatment on an outpatient basis. This will depend on the severity of their addiction and other personal circumstances.

Therapy

Regardless of the setting, treatment will feature several key components. These include three main types of therapy.

Individual therapy: During individual therapy, patients work with the therapist to understand the reasons behind their substance use. They partner with the therapist to develop healthier behaviors that will replace negative substance-seeking behaviors.
Group therapy: In group counseling, participants share their stories and support one another on their recovery journeys. A therapist facilitates the discussion, which focuses on developing sober social skills and substance refusal skills.
Family therapy: This type of therapy helps participants work out conflict and challenges in their family relationships and rebuild broken connections. The aim is to create a positive support system that helps everyone involved.

Aftercare

Aftercare begins as soon as a treatment program ends. It provides continued support to prevent relapse. Aftercare may include ongoing counseling, 12-step meetings, a sober living home, or life coaching. This may last for a few weeks, months, or a year or more.

Lifelong Journey

It’s important to understand that recovery is a life-long process. Your loved one’s journey doesn’t end when their treatment program is over. They will continue to need your support as they walk their journey, one day at a time.

Resources

Quality, S. C. for B. H. S. and. (n.d.). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 national survey on drug use and health. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt35325/NSDUHFFRPDFWHTMLFiles2020/2020NSDUHFFR1PDFW102121.pdf
Addiction – Healthy people 2030. (n.d.). Health.Gov. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/addiction
Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually. (2021, November 17). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/20211117.htm

How to Stage an Intervention for Drug & Alcohol Addiction